Philosophy of Education
I believe the purpose of education is to give children the tools they need to succeed in the world, both with head knowledge and with heart knowledge. The purpose of education is to nurture the whole child so that they know important information like how to read and write, but they also know what it feels like to be loved and supported so that in turn, they act that way towards others. Education should be used in a way that gives children the opportunity and readiness to fully experience the world and make an impact in it. It is the most important steppingstone for giving children a bright future.
My purpose of education enables me to treat kids with respect by not giving up on them in their academic struggles or disregarding their emotions. As a teacher, I will be mindful of what each child is going through, while also acknowledging and encouraging their strengths so that when they enter the world, they are prepared to make an impact and succeed. This will present itself in the form of breaks, lesson plans with variety, and meetings with my students.
I chose education because of my mom. She was my teacher for my whole K-12 education and showed me what love and respect looked like even when I was struggling with a subject. Seeing her teach me and my five other siblings, I felt a calling to be the same kind of teacher she was and bring the fun back into learning. I also felt that it was a calling from God, maybe my way of loving my neighbor as myself and helping the next generation.
I will enact my philosophy in the classroom by listening to each child’s voice and preparing lessons that speak to all different experiences, both academically and emotionally. I will not overly rush my students, while also making sure that they are staying on track for their development. This means that I will take specific time in class and outside of class to help students who are struggling, while also advancing their learning with new ideas that can even help the struggling students. I will use “yet” language to ensure that my students have a positive attitude towards themselves and others while learning.
Students can expect organization and serious commitment. I will ensure that the classroom is organized as well as my lesson plans, so that I am teaching the lessons to the best of my ability. I will also be committed to each student and their learning process, ensuring that each student feels safe, loved, and succeeding in my classroom. Additionally, I plan to continue to learn about the mental health aspect of students in order to teach them in ways that keep them engaged better and properly take care of the whole child.
I expect that my students willingly engage in class discussions and small groups, while also respecting me as a teacher. I expect that they have an open mind towards the material being taught, and that they are honest with me when they have a problem with something. Often the concept of respect can be hard to learn for students, but I believe that this can be achieved through creating strong relationships with my students and listening to their feedback. By doing this, the students will develop a relationship built on trust with me, which will in turn give them the motivation to learn what I am teaching. My students will know what I expect through rule posters throughout the classroom, as well as a reminder when needed. I also would like to send personal emails to each students’ parents once a week so that the parents can be part of their children’s education as well. Ultimately, I want children to form a love for learning and see the importance of it. I want my students to appreciate and continue their education in specific subjects, while also never forgetting their own imagination and ideas.